Longtime east Erie district judge hangs up his robe

After 26 years on the bench, Erie 5th Ward District Judge Joseph Lefaiver is retiring Nov. 7. At his east side Erie office on that day, Lefaiver reflected on his career, and talks about what's next. CHRISTOPHER MILLETTE/ERIE TIMES-NEWS

Joseph Lefaiver is wrapping up business today as district judge in Erie's 5th Ward.

The 66-year-old Erie native spent 26 years on the job, following in the footsteps of his late father, L. Elliott Lefaiver. He heard countless court cases and performed about 3,000 marriages in a career that Lefaiver said was both rewarding and sometimes depressing.

"I have no regrets. No regrets at all," Lefaiver said today. "I'm happy with what I did. I've been good to people, I've tried to straighten them around. I got angry at some of them. I've enjoyed the 26 years. It's been a lot of fun."